August 10th 2024.
It's been said that timing is everything and for the Colorado Rapids, the timing couldn't be better. With the iron still hot and Jonathan Lewis still in top form, the team has secured a spot in the Leagues Cup round of 16. Their latest victory came on Friday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, where they faced off against Liga MX squad FC Juárez.
The game proved to be a nail-biter, with Juárez putting up a tough fight until the very end. However, the Rapids managed to pull out a 3-2 win thanks to a wild goal off of Calvin Harris' head. After bouncing around multiple times in the box, the ball found its way to Harris, who made a perfect header to secure the win.
Juárez had opened the scoring in the 18th minute, taking advantage of a Zack Steffen save that fell right into the path of Ángel Zaldívar. But the Rapids didn't let that deter them, and just 10 minutes later, they struck back. Forward Rafael Navarro made a crucial steal at the goal line and passed the ball off to Lewis, who made a calm and collected shot into the opposite corner.
The first half ended with a controversial play, as Lewis was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded after a short VAR review. Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake, putting the Rapids up 2-1.
But the real hero of the night was Steffen, who once again put on a masterclass performance. With seven saves against León in the previous round and another eight against Juárez, Steffen proved to be the backbone of the Rapids' defense. His most crucial save came on a breakaway that would have put Juárez back in the game, but Steffen's quick reaction saved the day.
With this win, the Rapids are now set for a rematch against Deportivo Toluca, the team that knocked them out of last season's Leagues Cup. Toluca also had a close victory in their round of 32 match, winning on penalties after a late equalizer against Houston. The Rapids will have a chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
For those who may have missed the game, it was certainly a thrilling one. But for those who want even more sports news, be sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette. It's the perfect way to stay up to date on all the latest analysis and updates on Denver's teams.
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